Pope Leo XIV has replaced the Vatican constitution promulgated by Pope Francis, eliminating a reference to the “munus petrinum,” or Petrine office, as the basis of the pope’s authority over Vatican City State. “It made his authority over Vatican City State derive directly from his status as Peter’s successor,” he said. Vian also said it was necessary to place the creation of Vatican City State in its historical context. The treaty created Vatican City State as a sovereign territory intended to guarantee the independence of the Holy See. “Pope Leo XIV has repaired an unprecedented break and returned to the original spirit in which Vatican City State was created,” Vian concluded.